I want to know what is the easiest trail up Mt Washington? How do I get to the trailhead? Can I get a free map on-line of the trail? Since I only want to climb up, how hard is it to get a ride down? Thanks
Suzanne
Mt Washington - Appalachian Trail
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#2
Quick answer: There is no easy way. You have the choice of taking the longer routes (and prolonging the agony), or taking the shorter routes and getting the suffering over more quickly. Most perple take the Tuckerman Ravine trail, while the longer and less steep route is Tuckerman to Lion’s head trail. As for getting a lift down, you can often pay for a ride on the Mt Washington stage buses or take your chances hitchiking. The trailhead can be found at Pinkham Notch on Route 16. It’s an AMC camp, so you cha find info on their web site. I suggest you read the hiking information at www. mountwashington.org and heed the warnings… if you have not been there, you could be in for a very nasty surprise.
Have fun.
Dean.
Dean
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#3
In my opinion the easiest trail up Mt Washington is the Amonoosuc Ravine Trail which leaves just before the Cog Railrood Station off of route 302 in Brenton Woods. The trail goes by some nice waterfalls and cascades and is mostly a moderate climb. It is also the trail most day hikers and hut dwellers take to get to the Lake of the Clouds hut. But like Dean said there is no easy way up but some routes are just less hard. As far as getting a lift down I would check with the Mt Washington Auto road people. There are outfitters that provide van service up I don’t see why they wouldn’t take you down (for a fee of course). You might want to check with the Cog Railroad too as they would drop you within walking distance to the Amonoosuc Ravine trailhead.
Big B
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#4
The other popular trail up Washington is Ammonoosuc Ravine to Lakes of the Clouds, and then Crawford Path to the summit. The trailhead is on west side on the Cog Railway access road. If you want a ride down, it would be on the cog railway.
By the way, I understand that the Mt. Washington Stage vans will shuttle you back to Pinkham Notch.
Peaks
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#5
Several points. First, hitchhiking is prohibited on the auto road, period. Second, the shuttle vans work on a first-come, first serve basis so paying for just a ride down might be difficult. You can, however, pay for a one way ride down from the Cog for $35.00. You have two alternatives from the Cog side, or from the west. First, you can take the Ammonoosuc trail to Lakes of the Clouds and then up to the summit. Or, you can take the Jewell Trail, which ascends Mt. Clay and then run the ridge over to the summit. No matter which trail you choose, make certain you carry proper clothing for foul weather. The weather on Mt Washington can change in an instant, so be prepared. Have fun!
Madriver
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#6
Thanks for all the info. I like the idea of going up the Ammonoosuc Trail, but friend thinks we can do Tuckerman. We are going up on Sunday. I’ll be the slow grandmother. Thanks again for your help.
Suzanne
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#8
I’ve done Washington several times, both the cog side (Ammonoosuc & Jewel) and the Pinkham Notch side (Tuckermans and Lion’s Head). Neither is easy by any stretch of the imagination. With everything written about Mt. Washington and the Presidentials, it never ceases to amaze me how casually some people treat this trip.
My last trip up was through Tuckerman’s. When we got to the top in a very thick fog, some guy with two very small children stopped me and asked me if there was a casual hike down. I asked him how he came up and he said that he came up on the road in his car. I told him that the casual route was back in his car with his family. I know that he was miffed but when you have no gear or maps, two small children, and you can’t see three feet in front of your face because of the fog, I cannot conscientiously point someone to a trail that I know will be dangerous.
It is a wonderful trip and everyone I know that I’ve hiked with feels like a million bucks when they reach the top. It is, however, not an easy trip and to the extent that you are prepared, the better the trip can be. The list at the visitors center of 120+ dead is quite sobering.
Be prepared and it will be one of the best hikes ever. The Sunday weather looks right now to be perfect for the trip.
See you out there.
digit
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#9
Comment:
As the signs up there, and on top of other of the White Mountains, say: “Worst weather in the world”; and “The highest recorded wind speeds in the world, 237 miles per hour, were recorded here.”
I love it there.
Sincerely–Conan.
Conan
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#10
We really enjoyed our hike even though it started out in the rain and ended in pea soup at the top. We will be doing it again. We found it easier than the Helon Taylor at Kathadin. No mooning. Couldn’t see the train. Thanks agin for all the feedback.
Suzanne